Brevard's Foe Comeback King

May 31, 1986|By Creig Ewing of The Sentinel Staff

GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. — Defending champion San Jacinto (Texas) College didn't have an easy time reaching the championship game against Brevard in the Junior College World Series. San Jacinto had more miracle combacks during the week than a professional wrestling card.

The most impressive feat was Tuesday's 12-11 victory over Brookdale (N.J.). The Gators (52-12) were leading, 5-2, in the ninth, until Brookdale tied it.

In the top of the 10th, Brookdale scored six runs, but the Gators calmly scored seven in the bottom of the inning on four bases-loaded walks and three hits for the victory.

''I'm in the twilight zone,'' San Jacinto Coach Wayne Graham said afterward. ''I've never had a team come back from that far behind and win a game in the last inning. Heck, we didn't even get to the second out.''

It wasn't the only dramatic victory for the Gators.

In their first game last Saturday, the Gators trailed St. Louis-Meramec, 8-7, in the eighth and scored five runs in the bottom of the inning to win, 12-10.

Monday the Gators had their only easy victory of the tournament, pasting Nassau (N.Y.) CC, 18-3.

Wednesday San Jacinto scored four runs in the top of the ninth to lead Brevard, 9-3, and held on for a 9-7 victory.

Thursday San Jacinto led Yavapai (Ariz.), 9-7, in the ninth and gave up a two-run home run to catcher Brian Deak. Inevitably, the Gators scored two runs in the 11th for an 11-9 victory.

''Of all the things I try to teach, the most important is persistence,'' Graham said. ''That's one thing this team has if nothing else. They won't give up for anything.''

The Gators came into the series with the reputation of a Punch-and-Judy hitting team, but in five games San Jacinto has hit 10 home runs and leads all teams with a .376 batting average.

''We play in a large field where the wind always blows in from right field. It's a myth that we don't have any power,'' Graham said.